Tour du Rwanda 2025 will be remembered by many for the good and bad reasons. While Rwandan riders showed signs of resurgence, the race ended in favour of TotalEnergies’ Fabien Doubey who controversially claimed victory, overcoming intense pressure of Eritreans whose hopes of winning were interrupted by organisers’ sudden decision to cancel the final stage due to bad weather conditions. The race, which concluded at Kigali Convention Centre (KCC) on Sunday, March 2, also serves as the precursor of the UCI World Championships which will take place in Kigali in September. Times Sport’s Dylan Mugenga travelled with riders across the country covering the annual event which was in its 17th edition. He revisits the notable moments that shaped the cycling race. Final stage cancelled amid bad weather Since its inclusion as a regional race in 2008, then its subsequent elevation to UCI 2.1 status in 2019, Tour du Rwanda had never experienced a stage cancellation. However, the 2025 race saw the seventh stage nullified due to heavy rain, forcing the commissioner to determine the final results based on general classification after six stages. ALSO READ: Doubey hails his team after Tour du Rwanda 2025 victory While unprecedented in Rwanda, stage cancellations are not uncommon in international cycling. For example, Stage 19 of the 2019 Tour de France was cut short due to extreme weather conditions, including a violent hailstorm and landslides in the Alps, making the descent from the Col de liseran too dangerous. According to article 2 of UCI regulations, in case of an exceptional accident or incident that could impinge upon the normal conduct of the race in general or a particular stage thereof, the race director may, after obtaining the agreement of the commissioner’s panel and having informed the timekeepers, at any moment, decide to cancel a race or a stage. Family comes first Moise Mugisha remains the only Rwandan rider to win a stage (2022) at Tour du Rwanda since the race was granted a 2.1 status by the UCI in 2019. While the race continues to prove that it is more than what riders achieve on the bike, Mugisha demonstrated a heartwarming moment during Stage 3 from Musanze to Rubavu. The 28-year-old stopped in Busogo to embrace members his family, who were among the many supporters on the streets cheering on him. Photos of him kissing his twin babies captured an emotional moment that made headlines over the week. reflecting on the moment, Mugisha told Times Sport that he had to stop mid-race to share a moment of joy with his family whose support boosted his motivation throughout the stage. “When your family supports what you’re doing, especially in cycling, you can’t pass them without greeting them. And that can only be done by a professional who knows what it means,” he said. Unfortunately, he finished the race on a bad note after he was charged by UCI for violating the race’s rules and regulations. ALSO READ:Mugisha overwhelmed by family support at Tour du Rwanda UCI satellite launched in Rwanda Rwandan cycling witnessed yet another milestone when it became only the second African country to have a UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC) Regional and Continental development satellite. UCI president David Lappartient was in Kigali to launch the satellite in Rwanda on Sunday, February 23, just before the beginning of Tour du Rwanda 2025. Lappartient said the initiative marks Rwanda’s readiness for the 2025 UCI Road World Championships and aims to nurture future young African cyclists. “We are creating cycling opportunities for young Rwandan cyclists, refugees, and children in local communities,” he said. Only South Africa as the satellite center, precisely at Paarl. Established in 2005, the center has trained numerous athletes from across the continent, including Rwandans. Beyond Africa, UCI has similar centers in China, New Zealand, Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, Japan, South Korea, India, and Portugal. ALSO READ: UCI boss Lappartient launches cycling development satellite in Rwanda Rwandan riders back to the big stage Since 2020, when Moise Mugisha finished second overall, 54 seconds behind Eritrean Natnael Tesfasion, Rwandan riders had endured unimpressive showing in the tournament despite playing on their home soil. However, the 2025 edition proved that Rwandan cycling is far from finished considering the performances which raised alarms bells that local riders deserve another chance to show what they offer on the stage if offered the needed backing. Fast-rising rider Vainqueur Masengesho of Java Inovotec returned Rwanda to the top 10, finishing seventh overall, 51 seconds behind Frenchman Fabien Doubey (TotalEnergies), the 17th edition’s champion.
